Quality assurance officers ensure LTC activities run safely

With the intense activity at the Leader’s Training Course, equipment used to train at various sites can quickly become damaged or worn out. When an item does not meet the required standards of operation, the quality assurance officer steps in.

Established a few years ago, the quality assurance office is tasked with assessing the status of many different aspects involved with field training and the company areas. Issues the affect quality of life — and some potential training hazards — fall under the office’s umbrella.

Officials push for things like replacing broken items, fixing plumbing and adding lighting in dark areas of the barracks.

Issues that can be corrected immediately will be, while larger problems may be moved up the chain of command for a solution.

“We will start at the lowest level and try to get the concerns fixed on the spot,” said Lt. Col. Don Hazelwood, the quality assurance officer. “If not, then we will elevate it to the appropriate agencies that can fix it.”

Quality assurance is different from safety at LTC, as some problems not directly affecting the health of Cadets are still addressed by quality assurance. Although different, Hazelwood said there is overlap between the departments.

“It’s a good thing, because there may be things that they may not see that we see as an issue,” Hazlewood said.

A rotation schedule by quality assurance members helps keep coverage of all activities taking place throughout the course. After sites are checked, recommendations and findings are reported to the LTC commander. Issues are also reported to the supply and logistics division, where new items are ordered and supplied accordingly.

“When something is not meeting the required level or what it’s supposed to be, that’s when I come in as the supply guy and get that item ordered,” said Lt. Col. Larry Moore, the LTC logistics chief.

When a worn-out rope at the obstacle course was deemed unserviceable by quality assurance this summer, a follow up from Moore was done on the item. Moore said some equipment simply does not last as long as others, and sites must constantly be monitored to make sure everything is up to par.

“Those are not durable items,” he said. “They got the word to me, and we got it ordered and replaced.”

Moore said having quality assurance is necessary for more than just those at LTC. He said it’s important to keep a check on requirements throughout all training and non-training scenarios.

“Quality assurance, whether it’s at LTC or anything, is important simply because you’ve got to ensure that what you are providing meets the safety and health regulations,” he said.

The more people look for improvement opportunities, the better.

“If you’ve got an extra set of eyes going through, it can’t do anything but help the cause,” Moore said.